How one family has helped shape tourism in Lech
Editorial team
“The well-being of our guests has to be fought for anew every day.”
The Moosbrugger family has been shaping tourism in Lech am Arlberg for almost a century. In this interview, Johanna Moosbrugger-Lettner talks about the beginnings, the challenges of running a modern hotel and the aspiration to combine hospitality with artistic expression and sustainable thinking.
Tourism development as a continuous proces
GENUSSPUNKT: Your family is considered one of the pioneering families in tourism on the Arlberg. Can you tell us about the beginnings?
JOHANNA MOOSBRUGGER-LETTNER: My great-grandmother Anna Skardarasy, together with her husband Balthasar, was a pioneer of the quality hotel industry on the Arlberg. They bought the Hotel Flexen in Zürs in 1931 with a wealth of experience abroad. Their intuition that the Arlberg would develop into a popular travel destination proved to be correct. Today, the fifth generation is ready to continue on this path.
Were there certain key moments that shaped your family's tourism boom?
One such moment was certainly the purchase of the Hotel Gasthof Post by my grandparents in 1937. This hotel was later run by my parents and today by my brother and his family. The start of visits from the Dutch royal family was particularly formative - a vote of confidence that continues to this day. Our boutique hotel Bergschlössl and the Basecamp restaurant in St. Anton also have family roots. We were finally able to build the Lech Lodge on a family property in 2012.
What does it mean to you personally to have a role in the history of an internationally renowned destination?
Our work is never finished. The well-being of our guests has to be fought for anew every day. We live in a natural cycle of nature and the economy. After a good season, we immediately ask ourselves: how can we surprise and delight our guests again next year? This constant challenge inspires our creativity and drives us to constantly create something new and beautiful.
What philosophy characterizes Lech Lodge today?
We create space for special encounters, for cross-generational time with the most important and dearest people. Lech Lodge should be an environment that decelerates, connects and inspires. We consciously combine luxurious standards with sustainable thinking, for guests as well as for our long-standing employees.
Lech Lodge stands for luxurious and sustainable tourism. How do you combine these two aspects?
Lech Lodge was born out of a deep desire. It is not a short-term concept, not a functional building. The Lech Lodge is much more intended for generations. Right from the start, it was important to us that not only our guests, but also our team felt comfortable. That's why even the workspaces are designed like living spaces. Our great team has been with us from the very beginning - that's also what we mean by real sustainability.
What role did your childhood memories in Lech play in what you are realizing today at the lodge?
The values that were exemplified to us back then have remained the same: Respect for nature, hospitality and an awareness of quality. What has changed is the technology. Digitalization does not stop at our industry. But the feeling of simply being able to arrive here has remained. Many families have been spending their vacations with us for generations and want to pass on the wonderful moments here to their children.
In your opinion, what is the future of tourism in Lech?
Our opportunity in Lech is to offer a place where you can recharge your batteries - despite the challenges of the world. As I said, those who have been here once often come back to experience this tranquillity again.
For me, sustainability means thinking in terms of generations, not seasons.
“The joy of creating is what drives me”
Art is a key element of Lech Lodge. How did that come about?
My love of craftsmanship has been with me since my early professional years. During my time at my parents' hotel, the Gasthof Post, we renovated several bathrooms in the 1990s. I discovered traditional Dutch tiles with artistic motifs. I was immediately fascinated by them. I contacted the Sytsma manufactory in Heerenveen and was able to learn the craft there personally. Since then, I have been working with clay, plaster, wood and stone, with clay being my favorite material. Working with my hands grounds me and always challenges me anew.
Animals are also a great source of inspiration for me. There are mythical creatures, rabbits, owls, fish and dogs around Lech Lodge. In 2023, I also completed my extra-occupational training as a sculptor. A project close to my heart that now also gives my artistic work a new depth.
How does your artistic signature flow into the chalets?
I drew plans and designed concepts myself. The attention to detail that I put into my art can be found in many elements of Lech Lodge, for example in hand-painted tile pictures, portraits of our children or sculptures. My husband Klaus also contributes his creativity. As a former chef and passionate host, he is also heavily involved in the planning and implementation of our projects. Whether it's the interior design or the atmosphere, a lot of things are the result of a mutual exchange.
Is there a work that is particularly close to your heart?
Three tile pictures that I designed years ago and completely forgot about later found their place in our loft. The picture of our son as a ski jumper is also very important to me. I particularly love the works that show our family in different phases of life.
Do you still find time for creative work today?
It's not always easy, but especially in spring and fall I consciously make time for creativity. My dream is to work together with guests at some point, for example in workshops or joint projects that make you want to do handicrafts. In my opinion, it's valuable to stand up to the digital world from time to time and maintain the joy of “making things yourself”.
What does sustainable design mean to you?
For me, sustainability means thinking in terms of generations, not seasons. This applies to our buildings as well as the way we deal with materials, resources and people. Mindfulness is the key here - towards space, nature and everyone who works with us.
Finally, what drives you?
The joy of creating, the curiosity for beauty! And the responsibility to preserve and pass on a piece of home - to our children, our guests and to everyone who feels that Lech Lodge is something special.
For me, sustainability means thinking in terms of generations, not seasons.
